📍Bottom Lane, Warwick Avenue
Azar's Residence
6:30 P.M.

JODIE

I don’t know why I do it.

Maybe it’s boredom, or curiosity, or the fact that Dario has been on my mind since he left my house yesterday, promising to call but didn't. But for whatever reason, I pick up my phone, scroll through my messages, and send him a text.

ME: Hey. Is everything OK?

I don’t expect him to answer right away, so I put my phone down and turn back to my laptop. But not even a minute later, the screen lights up.

Dario: Yeah. Yuh good?

I chew on my lip.

ME: Yeah.

There's a pause. He disappears offline then pops back on.

Dario: Yuh sure?

I smirk a little.

ME: Sure sure.

This time, he doesn’t answer immediately. I stare at the screen, waiting, but nothing comes in.

I exhale, placing my phone down.

The light flashes as a notification comes in shortly afterwards.

Dario: Ah. Good to know.

ME: What away yuh did ago call mi last night.

I hate to be that person, but it has been on my mind all day. Might as well get it off my chest.

Dario: Jah know. Yuh waa know say mi go sort out sum'n, inna di hours deh, and get caught up eno. When mi come een mi did frass out and a seh yuh must gone sleep by then, yuzeet. So mi did a pree say mi neva waa disturb yuh. Jah Jah. Sorry 'bout that.

So it's not what I thought then?

Good.

ME: Oh. OK. Did a wonder if a avoid yuh did a avoid mi.

Dario: Fi wah reason?

I shrug although he can't see me.

ME: 🤷 Cuz yuh moody and sometime-ish when yuh ready? IDK.

Dario: Nah do yuh that, man.

My cheeks heat up.

ME: I hear you.

ME: BTW you left your food here.

Dario: Which food that?

ME: The one you brought here yesterday, sir.

I roll my eyes, but smile.

Dario: Eeh? Not even did realize. Mussi spoil deh now doh?

ME: Nope. I put it in the fridge.

Dario: Ah. Gwaan wul it off fimi den.

ME: Ago eat it 'bout. 😏

Dario: Do that den nuh.

ME: Seriously? 👀

Wah yuh did expect the man fi say? Him a come fa?

...maybe?

Dario: Do yuh thing, man.

I smirk as I stare at the screen. Dario really has no problem if I eat his food?

Again...issa box food eno, the man nawh go come dung ya fi dat when him can just buy another one, girl. Ova night food at that.

ME: OK then. Mi a go warm it up right now eno.

Dario: Ah. Hangle yuh business.

I shake my head, laughing under my breath. Slipping out of bed, I make my way to the kitchen, phone still in hand. I pull the container from the fridge and pop it into the microwave, my thumb hesitating over the keypad before I type again.

ME: So yuh good differently though?

The typing bubbles appear, then disappear. Then appear again.

Dario: 👍

A simple answer, but I know better.

ME: Yuh sure yuh lie?

I feel my smile stretch.

The microwave dings. And I remove the food before reaching for the Arizona I bought on my way home this evening.

My eyes land on the phone resting casually on the counter as I open the drink and set it down beside the food.

Again, the bubbles dance on the screen before stopping. My stomach tightens. A essay him a write?

Then the phone buzzes.

Dario: Nuh know bout alla dat. Just know say mi good.

I exhale. He’s always like this——guarded, short with words when he doesn’t want to talk too much about his feelings.

Neva see sum'n mi hate so yet!

I sigh but don’t bother pushing. Instead, I sit, take up my fork and dig into the food, a small smile tugging at my lips. Like a now dis nice...

ME: If yuh say so. Anyway, mi food nice, so thanks.

Dario: Mi glad yuh like it.

The conversation slows, and I know this is the part where he fades out——logs off to deal with whatever, leaving me worried sick and missing him like crazy.

If mi ano yam to rahtid.

I set my phone aside and chew my food slowly.

My mind briefly drifting back to Dario. I wonder what he's doing right now?

I don’t even know why I care so much.

Can't believe this is the me who promised myself to stay away from this man just days ago.

Sigh.

Mi cyaa continue so eno. A swear to God!

Pushing the thought behind me, I shuffle to get more comfy and continue eating. I finish the last bite of Dario’s food and set the container aside, licking the sauce from my lips. It was good——better than the one I had. Or a because mi did hungry?

Don't know and mi nuh really care either.

Juss know say mi belly full...

My eyes drift to my phone which sits beside me, silent. I tap the screen, half-expecting another message from such man, but there’s nothing.

Typical.

I sigh and lean back against the chair, staring at the ceiling. Dario has always been like this—half-in, half-out. Always keeping people at arm’s length, never saying more than necessary. It's just who he is. Always has been.

Still, I hate the fact that he's doing the same to me.

Yet, I can't seem to leave this man alone.

I pick up my phone again, hesitating before I type.

ME: Pssst. You busy?

A few seconds pass before the typing bubble appears.

Dario: Why?

I roll my eyes, pick up the empty food box and walk over to the bin. After disposing of it, I make my way to my room in the back.

ME: Just asking.

Dario: Yuh miss mi already?

I scoff, but my lips twitch into a smile.

ME: In your dreams.

The typing stops. Then—

Dario: Lmao. A road mi deh rn still.

That makes sense. If he had been at home, he would've probably stopped responding by now. Especially if he were around stinking Lester.

ME: Hmm. So yuh busy then? 👀

Please say no.

There's a longer pause this time.

Dario: Sum’n like dat.

Of course. I exhale. It’s always like this—vague responses, no real details. He never lets me in beyond the surface.

But for some reason, I still keep trying.

ME: Alright. Be safe.

This time, the reply is instant.

Dario: Always.

I stare at the message for a while before locking my phone and tossing it on the bed.

It’s probably best if I don’t get too caught up. Although I long for the day he'd just open up to me. Ugh!

I know that's wishful thinking though.

Even if he goes back to being comfortable around me, I doubt it will go back to the way it was before three years ago.

Knowing Dario...

He’s never going to let me all the way in.

I exhale sharply and rub my temples, shaking off the nagging thoughts creeping in. I know better than to dwell on things I can’t change.

Still, a part of me wonders——what would it take for Dario to finally let his guard down?

Mi know dem say as a badman yuh fi always have yuh guard up, but Jah Jah.

I flop onto my bed, stretching out, my fingers drumming idly against my stomach. The room is quiet except for the soft hum of my fan, the air cool against my skin.

Maybe I should call him. For some reason I want to hear his voice.

I reach for my phone, unlocking it and clicking on the contact tab. My thumb hovers over his contact, my mind debating. I click on the number, then quickly lock my phone and toss it back onto the bed.

Nah. That’s a bad idea.

I know right. The man tell yuh say him deh road and busy, yuh not even know a weh him deh or wah him a do...!

Instead, I grab my laptop, open Netflix, and try to find something to watch. Maybe a distraction is what I need. Something light, something funny——something that doesn’t remind me of him.

But as I scroll mindlessly, my phone vibrates beside me.

I peer over at it, my heart skipping a beat when I see the notification on the screen and who it's from.

A text.

From Dario.

Dario: Pssst.

Then nuh him just say him busy?

Regardless, I click reply.

ME: 👀

Dario: Wah yuh up to?

My heart does a stupid little flip. I swallow and type back quickly.

ME: Watching something. Bored.

Dario: Oh.

I narrow my eyes. That’s it? Just “oh”?

ME: A wah'pn?

Dario: Ntn. Just did a pree if yuh good. Never like how we stop text just so a while ago.

Now yuh concerned?

My fingers hover over the keyboard. I hesitate before typing.

ME: That’s new.

Dario: 🤷🏽‍♂️ Go easy man, ano styling thing.

I smirk.

ME: Yuh bored or sum’n?

I play unbothered although I'm squirming on the inside. Can't let a nigga see me fold.

Dario: Sum’n like dat.

My smirk widens.

ME: A road yuh deh pon and yuh still bored? Yuh different eno.

Dario: Not everywhere fun eno badman.

I laugh a little. I can picture his face as he says that.

ME: Poor you.

Dario: Mi waa see yuh.

The sudden shift makes my stomach clench. But I shrug it off. It's not like he means anything by it anyway.

ME: Alright. Ago FaceTime yuh.

Dario: Waa see yuh in person.

Wah?

ME: Why?

Dario:  Nuh reason. Mi juss wah see yuh.

I bite my lip, my fingers tightening around the phone.

ME: Um when? 👀

Dario: Inna eh night yah. When mi done deal wid yasso.

ME: Mi nuh sure if mi free.

A lie. A whole lie.

Dario: Jodz, nuh bother wid di fuckry.

Butterflies!

ME: I'm serious. 🙄

Dario: Find a way.

I inhale slowly. He always does this——pulls me in just when I start thinking I should stay away.

ME: We’ll see.

Dario: Alright. Nuh say 40.

I lock my phone and press it against my chest, staring at the chipped paint in the ceiling.

Damn him. Cho!

A giggle slips past my lips, prompting me to kick my feet and squeal.

.                         .                           .

1:45 A.M.

I'm just about to dose off when I feel my phone vibrate next to my head.

Thinking it's Mr Man, I quickly reach for it, only for the smile to be wiped off my lips when I see it's an alert from the bible app on my phone.

I sigh, feeling my heart sink.

It's almost 2 o'clock, and this man claimed her was stopping by. So if ano now, a when?

I hiss my teeth at the thought, tossing the phone aside.

Why mi even deh yah a stress miself? A nuh today mi know how Dario stay. Gi' mi pill pon top a pill like him hear say mi sick.

Steups.

A that mi fi get still because mi nuh learn...

Everyday mi tell miself say mi a go back off, yet mi keep running backa the crawses bwoy. Like a eediat.

Yam, yam, yameisha!

The sudden vibration of my phone startles me, and my heart nearly leaps out of my chest. I grab it fast, only to see a notification from Instagram.

Not even a bloodcla——

I fling the phone back onto the bed, now really in my feelings.

Know wah, mi a come gaa mi rahtid bed.

But just as I turn over, fluffing my pillow, I hear the buzz again. This time, it’s a text.

I smile when I see who it's from. Finally!

I click on it and read what it says.

Dario: Yo weh u deh?

I blink at the screen.

ME: …Home? Where else mi woulda deh? 👀

Dario: Just a ask.

I sit up now, curiosity taking over.

ME: Why?

Dario: 'Cause mi deh roun di road.

I pause, staring at the message. Something in my belly bottom does a little flip.

ME: And?

A few seconds pass. Then——

Dario: Mi a pass through like mi say.

My eyes widen.

ME: Seriously?

Then tha' man ya see di time?

Dario: Mi eva yet ina life look like mi a joke?

My lip part in shock. Him cyaa serious. After mi deh yah a wait whole night, a dem time yah this man feel like say him fi pop up?

Despite my thoughts, I scramble off the bed and check myself in the mirror. Hair is on fleek, skin clean and pretty, outfit...? A bit revealing, but mi not even a kill up miself fi change eno. Swear.

Good. Cyaa go wrong wid a likkle tease. Hehehe.

I inhale a deep breath, trying to act unbothered. But in truth, I'm anything but.

ME: OK.

Dario: Ah. See u in a few.

I can't help but feel he's up to something. Because why is he insisting on coming here this late?

My heart pounds.

But I pick up my phone and open Tiktok to free my mind.

°

°

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📍Bottom Lane, Warwick Avenue
Azar's Residence
2:00 A.M.

DARIO

The gravel crunch beneath the wheels of the Bimma as I pull to a stop outside the familiar orange and white gate.

My eyes drift to the house, painted in a similar colour combo, as I kill the engine, my fingers drumming against the wheel.

The entire lane is quiet, shadows stretching long under the streetlights cutting through the darkness.

The house is quiet too, the light on the verandah the only indication that someone's home.

My mind shifts to the woman I'm here to see, hoping she's awake. She'd been responding to my messages a few minutes ago, doubt she woulda drop asleep so quick still. Worse mi done tell her mi a fawud.

Regardless, I stare at the door, jaws tight. My eyes catch the time on the dash ——2 A.M.? Fuck.

I shouldn’t be here this late. Should’ve just kept driving. But I didn’t.

So nuh mek nuh sense kill up miself ova dat.

Instead, I exit the warmth of the car, fix my shirt, and walk up to the gate.

It's closed, and I'm not about to call her outside to open it, so I scale the wall instead.

Wouldn't be the first...

When I'm successfully on the other side, I exhale, adjusting my shirt, over the glock in my waist, and head to the front grill.

I knock twice, hands sliding into my pockets as I wait. I see the lights come on next door, but before I can dwell on it, I hear footsteps.

A few seconds pass, then the door creaks open.

Revealing a pouting Jodien.

She leans against the frame, arms folded, looking me up and down like she’s already regretting opening the door. Her oversized T-shirt slides off one shoulder, her smooth skin peaking out, glistening under the light, the tiny shorts hugging her thighs. She's barefooted too, my eyes catching the white q-tex on her toes.

I drag my tongue over my teeth, my jaws tightening.

“Yuh see di time, big man?” Her tone is flat, unimpressed.

I smirk, shifting my weight. “Did get held up likkle.”

She hisses her teeth then hums. “So why yuh never put it off til tomorrow then?”

I chuckle, stepping closer, my hands still tucked in the pockets of my pullover. “'Cause a tonight mi waa see yuh.”

She watches me for a second, then exhales sharply and steps back. “Come in before mi change mi mind, oh.”

I walk inside, catching the faint trace of her scent–—warm, sweet, something soft that lingers in the air. Vanilla? Cocoa butter? I don’t know, but it plays tricks on my senses.

Shaking the feeling away, I drop onto the couch, stretching out, my eyes flicking over her as she locks the door. The way her hips sway when she moves catches my attention. Something about her is different now. More feminine. Or maybe I’m just noticing the difference.

She turns. “Yuh wah sum'n fi drink?”

“Yuh have Henny?”

I'm deliberately fucking with her. Mi nuh waa nuh liquor, drink enough fi di night.

She sucks her teeth. “No. Mi have juice. And water.”

I smirk. “Mi good.”

She leans against the wall, arms still folded, one leg crossing over the other. The movement pulls my attention to her toned thighs before I even realize I’m staring.

Damn.

I shift, forcing my gaze away, before she catches it.

Her eyebrow lifts. “So why yuh come here tonight, fi real, Dario?”

I watch her, weighing my words. I can’t tell her the truth. Can’t admit I'd been thinking ‘bout her a little bit too much lately. That something about her is shifting in my head, making me question shit I never used to.

Can't admit she'd been on my mind all day, for some fucking strange reason, and I couldn't bear not coming to see her.

Nah, definitely can't tell her that.

Instead, I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “Mi just feel like pass through. Chill wid yuh likkle bit.”

She narrows her eyes. “Yawh eediat.”

Her statement catches me off guard. I chuckle, shaking my head. “Why yuh cyaa just tek wah mi say and easy yuhself, badman?”

“Cah yawh chat fuckery.”

Eeh? I smirk, my eyes fleeting to her lips before I can stop myself.

She notices.

For a second, neither of us say anything. The atmosphere grows tense.

Then she breaks it by shifting, brushing her fingers over her knee, and my jaw tightens.

I shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be staring at her mouth like I am. And certainly shouldn't be having thoughts about how it would taste against mine.

Like all a di bloodclaat liquor mi drink since night finally a set een, bredda.

'Cause a must di rum this a chat. Cyaa noth'n else.

Jodie is like a little sister to me. Always has been.

Speaking of her, my eyes go back to her face. She exhales, her voice quieter now when she says, “Mi shouldn’t even answer yuh text.”

My eyes narrow at that. “Chat yawh chat man.”

She sucks her teeth, her plump lips parting like she wants to argue, but I lean in before she gets the chance, lowering my voice.

“C'mere.”

She stills.

Wah yawh do, dawg?

Our eyes lock. And I feel a pull.

I know I should leave.

But I don’t move.

“Wah?”

“C'mere nuh.”

Eyeing me skepticallly, she fiddles with the hem of her shorts. “Wah yuh waa, Dario?”

I keep my focus on it for a few seconds longer before reluctantly peeling my gaze away. I bite down on my lower lip. “How yaggo know if yuh nuh come to mi, badman?”

She blushes, quickly looking away, but I catch it.

The air shifts. Heavy. Thick. It's like the space between us is shrinking on its own, forcing me to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

No, I shouldn’t be here.

Shouldn’t be watching her like this.

Thinking about her like this.

Shouldn’t be noticing the way her chest rises and falls under that thin-ass T-shirt ——by the way, why the fuck she nawh wear nuh brazzier unda dat? —-or how her brown skin looks so friggin' soft and flawless.

Trying to ignore the shift in my pants, I roll my tongue over my teeth, jaw flexing, and crack my knuckles to distract my thoughts.

“Mi nuh trust yuh,” she mutters, but she takes a slow step forward anyway, arms still folded across her chest.

Big mistake.

Her doing so only pulls her shirt tighter against her chest, forcing my attention to her firm nipple prints.

I smirk, leaning back against the couch. “Big woman t'ing?”

“Yup.” She stops right in front of me, close enough that I catch her scent again——soft, warm, something that makes my thoughts slip into places they shouldn't ——but far enough so she's out of reach.

My eyes trail down her torso, deliberately stopping at her crotch. Her fat pussy beckons to me from the tight little shorts, and I can't help but imagine reaching out and spawnzing it.

Dawg, yuh cyaa serious. A Jodie this in front yuh eno, bredda.

I shake my head to clear the thought.

I really shouldn’t be here.

...But fuck, I’m already here.

And the way the woman standing across from me is looking at me, right now, doesn't make me want to leave.

As if reading my thoughts, Jodie narrows her eyes. It's as if she's waiting to see what I’ll do next.

My fingers drum against my knee. “Jah know? Mi nuh bite people eno, fren.”

She scoffs. “Yuh sure?”

I chuckle lowly. “Come find out nuh.”

Bredda, big and serious, a better yuh come gwome.

Jah Jah.

Jodie's lips part like she wants to say something slick, but she doesn’t. Instead, she stares. Eyes scanning my face, lingering a second too long on my mouth before she catches herself and looks away.

I notice.

I lean forward again, voice dropping to a deep baritone when I say, “A wah? Yuh 'fraid?”

Her head snaps back to me, a scowl forming. “'Fraid a wah?”

A slow grin forms on my face. I'm enjoying this way too much. “Mi.”

She exhales sharply, lips pressing together. And for a split second, something flickers in her expression——something I find hard to place my finger on——but she masks it before I can think too hard on it.

Still, it settles with me.

Another pull in my groin follows.

And that? That fucks with me.

She sucks her teeth. “Yuh full a yuhself, enuh, big head bwoy.”

“Yawh dodge di question, badman.”

“Cah yuh chat too much.”

I smirk, studying her, letting the silence stretch between us. Letting the weight of it settle in her bones. Let her mind run wild, wondering what I'm thinking, or what I'm up to.

She shifts, looking at her phone. “A almost three o'clock eno.

“So?”

“Hear yuh 'bout 'so'! Mi waa guh sleep.”

“Mi nah stop yuh.”

She opens her mouth to speak but hesitates, biting down on her lip instead. All waa gwaan she nuh waa move, but nuh waa admit it. She's clearly feeling the same pull I'm feeling, but is fighting it.

Then she sighs, stepping back, walking over to stand by the door . “Gwaan home, Dario.”

I stay where I am, watching her. Measuring her words.

Measuring the way she said it. Her tone.

She nuh really mean it. Nuh know who she a try fool...

It's as if she's testing to see if I’ll actually go.

I will.

Only if she wants me to though.

Regardless, I push up from the couch, stepping slowly towards her this time.

Her breath hitches. Just slightly.

But I hear it.

I smirk when I'm towering over her. “Yuh sure yuh waa mi leave?”

She swallows, eyes darting to my mouth again before she blinks and looks away. “Yes.”

Lie.

But mi naggo force di issue. After all, maybe it's for the best. Before mi do sum'n mi might regret when morning light.

Instead, I chuckle, reaching past her to unlock the door. My arm brushes hers, just slightly, and I feel her tense.

Good.

I pull the door open, stepping outside into the cool night air. Then I glance back, holding her gaze one last time before I murmur, “Likkle more, Jodie.”

She doesn’t answer. Just watches me.

And I swear, if I stand here one minute longer, I'm not leaving.

So I turn and exit the verandah.

I can feel Jodie's eyes on me, but I keep my focus on the broken tiles beneath my feet as I go down the steps.

Through my peripheral, I peep the house next door, seeing the curtain, hung along the window facing this way, shift.

My body immediately goes tense.

Why di fuck da smaddy deh nuh gaa dem rassclaat bed?